Shopping small is a big help to the community

When you shop small, you get good stuff, and your money supports local businesses. It also helps the community plow snow, fill potholes, and repair water mains through sales and real estate taxes. Join the effort on Saturday.

Published: Friday, Feb. 21, 2014 1:15 a.m. CST

The winter of 2013-14 has landed more body blows to Sauk Valley communities than we care to remember.

Cold. Snow. Wind.

More cold, snow and wind.

And after that, even more cold, snow and wind.

City street departments deserve praise for keeping ahead of winter’s worst. City water departments also deserve praise for the hard work they put forth when water mains freeze and break.

Tax dollars, of course, support those key city services – money that comes from sales taxes and real estate taxes.

And that brings us to Sauk Valley Shop Small’s latest promotion: Shop Small Saturday.

This weekend’s event is designed to bring people into participating stores in Rock Falls, Sterling, and Dixon. Various specials and cultural events are planned.

It’s a reminder to patronize mom-and-pop shops for quality goods and knowledgeable service from people who are truly invested in their stores.

And here’s the added benefit for survivors of our brutal winter: Your sales taxes help your community plow snow, fill potholes, and fix water main breaks, as do real estate taxes paid by small business owners.